Welcome to the seventh edition of Viewpoints, our monthly
e-newsletter.

Foraging through the endless information generated by America’s $40 billion diet
industry brings increasing references to the term mindful eating. While the act
of being mindful, or present, is deeply-rooted in ancient philosophical
teachings, its modern association with food gives pause for thought.

And pause for thought is the operative phase here - as we hesitate for one
second before downing that Halloween candy - and dare to delve into our
most basic reasons for eating. A veritable minefield of emotions. It’s
difficult, painful to confront, isn’t it?

“There are some people who eat an orange but don’t really eat it. They eat their
sorrow, fear, anger, past and future,” says Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hanh.

“We translate all the issues in our lives to food,” says author Geneen Roth,
recounting her own epiphany. “Once I saw the tangled wisdom in my eating, it
began to unravel itself. Without dieting, without force.”

We at Insulite Laboratories understand that why we eat is infinitely more
complicated than mere survival. We want to explore these motivations with you.
We want to “go there”.

Let’s start simply, mindfully. Take a good look at your food, its color and
texture. Eat it slowly, savoring each bite. At mealtime, focus on eating without
distractions. Pause occasionally to see if you’re full. Notice if you continue to eat after you feel
full. Think of food as fuel for your well-being.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

- Theodore Roosevelt

Make every day an opportunity to move closer to your dreams.

INTELLIGENCE REPORT

Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome
Increase the Risk of Early Heart Disease

Families with a history of premature heart disease have been found to be
particularly prone to Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Syndrome. A study in
Finland discovered that heart attacks or blood vessel blockage are prevalent in
these families before the age of 55 in men and 65 in women.

Insulin Resistance is the underlying cause of the cardiovascular disorder
Metabolic Syndrome. It vastly reduces the number of insulin receptor sites on
the cell’s surface and bolts the door against the efficient conversion of food
into glucose or energy. Because insulin is unable to enter the cell, it
accumulates in the bloodstream, resulting in damage to the interior lining of
the blood vessels. Insulin Resistance also causes elevated levels of blood sugar
and an increase in fat storage in the bloodstream, which can lead to obesity.

As your weight increases, so do the stressors on the entire cardiovascular
system. Workload on the heart increases to distribute oxygenated blood
throughout the body. Another effect is a change in blood lipids, resulting in
increases in triglycerides, which store much of the body’s fat, and decreases in
“good” HDL cholesterol. This change encourages the buildup of plaque on the
inside of artery walls and raises the risk of a stroke or heart attack.

Metabolic Syndrome (or Syndrome X) is characterized by at least three of the
following symptoms:

Abdominal fat: a 40 in waist or larger in men and 35 in or larger in women

High blood sugar: at least 110 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) after fasting

High triglycerides: at least 150 mg/dL in the bloodstream

Low HDL “good” cholesterol – less than 40 mg/dL

Blood pressure: 130/85 or higher

Finnish researchers measured insulin, blood glucose (sugar) and fatty acids in
101 families, including 54 siblings without heart disease. They also gave
individuals an oral glucose tolerance test, which measures the amount of time it
takes the body to remove glucose from the blood. The test is also used to
diagnose Insulin Resistance and Type 2 Diabetes.

Family members with heart disease were found to have higher insulin levels after
the test, as well as lower HDL levels and greater triglycerides and fibrinogen
compared with their healthy siblings. Fibrinogen is a protein associated with
clotting and is an independent risk factor for heart attacks and strokes.

The study also indicated that Insulin Resistance occurred in individuals with
and without Type 2 Diabetes.

The development of early heart disease in susceptible families may not be
greatly influenced by environmental factors because rates of obesity, smoking,
alcohol intake and exercise were similar among those with or without heart
disease.

Co-author of the report Dr. Anu Kareinen of North Kerelia Central Hospital in
Joensuu, Finland, wrote: “The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors related
to Insulin Resistance is likely to explain at least a part of premature heart
disease in these families.”

Unsettling evidence has emerged that the social stigma surrounding obesity
extends to a setting where you might least expect it.

A group of 122 doctors took part in a study* in Texas that examined how the
weight of a patient affected their attitudes as well as the treatments they
intended to prescribe. The doctors evaluated a medical chart of a male and a
female patient, depicted as being of either average weight, overweight or obese,
who were suffering from migraine headaches.

Using a standard form, the doctors indicated how long they would spend with each
patient and which of 41 tests they would order. They also recorded their
personal reactions to the patient.

The findings showed that the weight of a patient significantly affected how the
doctors viewed and treated him or her. They prescribed more tests for the
heavier patients but they spent less time with them. The doctors also viewed the
overweight group more negatively on 12 out of 13 questions regarding their
personal opinion of the patient.

* Int J Obes Relat Metab
Disord 2001 Aug; 25 (8): 1246-52

DR. MARY'S VIEW:

“Patients suffering from additional weight need more time,
not less, with their doctors.”

This
study reveals what any individual suffering from obesity could tell you about
the way many people react to them. It’s well known that there is a social stigma
surrounding obesity that extends from the workplace to other areas of society.
But now we have tangible evidence that even doctors view their overweight and
obese patients differently from those of average weight.

I was gratified by the announcement in July that the U.S. Government had
re-defined obesity as a medical condition. With more than 60% of Americans
overweight and 30% of them obese, the move was a long time coming.

But if obesity is now officially considered a medical condition, shouldn’t the
attitudes shown in this study be considered neglectful if they persist? Could
they even be regarded as medical malpractice?

The findings also show that doctors play an influential role in lowering the
quality of health care that overweight or obese patients receive. Patients
suffering from additional weight need more time, not less, with their doctors
and should seek practitioners who are knowledgeable in the areas of nutrition
and lifestyle interventions.

Fact: As with other food groups, there are pros and cons but dairy
products do have many nutrients that your body needs. You don’t have to opt for
whole milk products: low-fat and non-fat dairy items are just as nutritious but
are lower in fat and calories.

Good examples are fat-free milk, low or non-fat cheese and yogurt (frozen or
regular) and reduced-fat ice cream.

Lactose-free products are readily available for people who can’t digest the type
of sugar found in milk and other dairy produce. These are also excellent sources
of protein and calcium. Some people are sensitive to certain dairy foods but are
still able to eat others such as yogurt, hard cheese, evaporated skim milk and
buttermilk.

Alternative sources of calcium range from dark leafy vegetables like spinach to
calcium-enriched fruit juice, bread and soy products such as tofu, as well as
canned fish with soft bones like salmon.

Perhaps the biggest worry about dairy products concerns eating butter and
margarine. Consuming a lot of foods high in saturated fat like butter have been
linked to high cholesterol levels and increased risk of heart disease.

There’s some evidence that Trans fat - found in margarine, crackers, cookies and
other snack food – can also cause high cholesterol levels.

Trans fat is created when vegetable oil is made solid at room temperature to
become margarine or shortening, a process called hydrogenation. More research is
needed on the possible link between Trans fat and heart disease. In the
meantime, it’s advisable to eat only small amounts of foods high in fat like
butter and margarine.

Making the transition from whole to low-fat milk is easy. On a daily basis,
replace 1 tsp of the higher fat version with the healthier kind. Each day,
increase your substitution by an extra 1 tsp for a painless, beneficial change.

CONSULT DR. MARY

Q. Is the Insulite System appropriate for someone with hypoglycemia?

A. Yes. We recommend that you are careful about watching your blood sugar
levels for several weeks when first starting the Insulite System. It is
important to monitor your blood sugar levels 3-4 times per day, especially at
the beginning.

The nutrients in this formula are effective at stabilizing blood sugar and the
diet changes we recommend require that people with hypoglycemia are vigilant
about their blood sugar levels.

If you have hypoglycemia, we advise you to take half the dose of INSULX for 2
weeks when first using the Insulite System as this formula has the greatest
impact on blood sugar levels.

After two weeks, if your blood sugar is stable, you can go to the full dose of
INSULX safely. Additionally, if you suffer from hypoglycemia, eat 5-6 small
meals per day that are protein-based and watch your consumption of
carbohydrates.

New scientific evidence shows that fiber-rich diets can help you lose
weight and keep it off. Fiber helps you eat less by quickening the
process by which you feel full and satisfied by food.

There are two kinds of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Beet fiber is
soluble as is oat fiber which contains more soluble dietary fiber than
oats or even oat bran. It can be purchased online and at health stores
and makes a beneficial addition to your meals.

An example of insoluble fiber is pectin found in apples. An apple a day
has as much fiber as a bowl of fiber cereal. Apple pectin can also be
purchased as a supplement.

Both types of fiber are effective at reducing the absorption of glucose
into the blood stream, thereby decreasing the insulin and glucose spikes
that set the stage for Insulin Resistance.

Fiber-rich diets also help reduce cholesterol levels by detoxifying your
body and lower the risk of colon cancer by improving bowel movements.

The recommended amount of fiber each
day is 35 grams but unfortunately only a very small percentage of
Americans achieve this. Excellent sources of fiber include green
vegetables, berries, grains, fruits and legumes, a.k.a. beans. A
half-cup of Garbanzo beans (chick peas) on your salad adds both fiber and protein.

“You will never plow a field if you don’t turn it over in your mind.”

- Irish proverb

Don’t restrict your aspirations.

INSULITE LIFESTYLE: TIPS

Stress seems to come at us from all angles these days so it’s increasingly important to find ways to cope.
One method is to adopt a “relaxation response” which encourages a calm approach
to overcoming life’s anxieties. Many studies in the last 30 years have shown the
advantages of inducing a state of mental calmness which is achieved when your
blood pressure drops, your heart and breathing rate slow down and your muscles
become less tense.

At any age we can benefit from learning this response. Students can get better
school grades, while adults can experience greater cooperation at work and avoid
falling prey to road rage while behind the wheel.

There are several simple relaxation methods. Here are two you might like to try:

Meditation is an ancient form of relaxation and you don’t have study at the feet
of an inscrutable master to learn how to lift your spirits. Try sitting quietly
in a comfortable position with your eyes closed and legs uncrossed. Relax your
muscles, progressing from the feet to the calves, thighs, abdomen, shoulders,
neck and head. Breathe slowly and naturally. While exhaling, silently repeat a
word or phrase with a special meaning to you, such as “peace”. An ideal amount
of time for this exercise is 10-20 minutes, though just five minutes of deep
relaxation can have a refreshing effect. After completing a period of meditation,
sit quietly for one minute before slowly opening your eyes and returning to your
busy day.

Relaxation doesn’t have to be quiet contemplation. Repetitive activities such as
walking and jogging can have the same effect while being good exercise. Less
strenuous but still with a calming effect are such pastimes as playing a musical
instrument or knitting.

And if you want to take relaxation methods further, there’s always yoga and tai
chi.

Vegetables can be so adaptable! Why not try black-eyed peas with spinach and balsamic vinegar, which can make a tasty, protein-rich salad in its own right or a deliciously different addition to your antipasto repertoire.

12 oz black-eyes peas, soaked overnight

1 tbsp margarine

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar

2 cloves garlic, 1 med onion, both chopped

1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

9 oz fresh or frozen spinach, roughly chopped

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions: After rinsing the beans and placing them in a large pot, cover with water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to low, and simmer, covered, for 1 hour or until tender. Drain. Cook the garlic and onion in margarine and olive oil until golden – this takes just seconds. Add the black-eyed peas and spinach and cook for approximately 1 minute until the spinach has wilted. Season and add the balsamic vinegar. Serves 4. Can be served hot or at room temperature.

Tip: Serve as a main dish or an accompaniment to baked chicken breasts, grilled steak or pork chops.

You are well on the
way to achieving your desired weight loss goal and the healthy
lifestyle you deserve.

Remember that persistence is crucial.

We at Insulite Laboratories are
committed to your success and your well being. We're here to help you.

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this newsletter is for the sole purpose of being informative.
This information is not and should not be used or relied upon as medical advice. Always seek the advice
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